Gregory, a global leader in pack fit and comfort for more than four decades, announces today another industry first with the launch of its long-awaited Plus Size Collection of backpacks. With 14 different pack styles across the day hiking, hydration, multi-day backpacking and lifestyle categories, the new collection addresses sizing gaps and provides pack solutions for hikers and backpackers of all sizes. The collection fits the apparel equivalent of 2x through 6x sizing, and is now available at GregoryPacks.com.
The Gregory team worked hand-in-hand with Jenny Bruso and her group, Unlikely Hikers, to design the collection. Unlikely Hikers is a diverse, anti-racist, body-liberating outdoor community featuring the underrepresented outdoorsperson. Jenny and her team provided invaluable feedback every step of the way, aiding designers with prototype testing, fit testing and product reviews during the research and development process. The end result is a collection of packs that are built to fit and be comfortable for all hikers.
“For years, I just had to ‘make it work’ with gear that was uncomfortable, didn’t fit and wasn’t safe,” explained Jenny Bruso, founder of Unlikely Hikers. “It’s more than inconvenient; when gear isn’t made for you, you start to internalize that message after time and it feels like you are not welcome or shouldn’t be out there in the first place. Gregory is changing that, and so far the feedback I’ve gotten online has been amazing. People are SO excited to finally have a pack that fits well and is comfortable.”
The new collection offers outdoor enthusiasts a pack designed with their specific needs and body in mind. The new packs not only make spending time outside more comfortable and enjoyable, but they also help create a more inclusive outdoor space — where people of all shapes, sizes and colors have a voice, and feel welcome and safe.
“We want to empower everyone to hit the trail,” said John Sears, Vice President of Gregory Packs. “When we started this project we quickly realized, through research and the outpouring of support, that there is a huge gap in sizing in outdoor gear. We have always supported and partnered with groups to create a more inclusive outdoor community. This collection is just taking our mission to the next level, and creating packs that support ALL of our customers.”
The plus size collection is one of many initiatives that fall under Gregory’s larger Gateway Program, which is all about creating a more inclusive outdoors and sharing the incredible benefits of discovering and experiencing the outdoors. Gregory makes this possible through the products they offer, like the plus size collection and gender balanced product offering, a long-time commitment to youth backpacking, and active partnerships with groups such as Big City Mountaineers that focus on equitable access to the outdoors for underprivileged communities.
The full collection gives customers a choice of activity, style, color and price point, and goes beyond just the resizing of components. The substantial adjustments to the fit geometry includes wider shoulder harness angles, extended shoulder harness lengths and enlarged hip belts with a 40” – 60” range. The design process also resulted in accessibility adjustments such as moving the hipbelt pockets to the front of the body for easy access on the trail, and adjusting the location of buckles for improved reachability. The collection includes the Katmai, Kalmia, Stout and Amber in the backpacking category; the Citro and Juno H20 hydration packs, Miwok and Maya, Nano and Arrio in the hiking and everyday adventure categories.
The packs are now available online at GregoryPacks.com, REI, and select specialty dealers throughout the U.S. For more information about Gregory and its collection of award-winning backpacks and luggage, visit www.GregoryPacks.com.
About Gregory Mountain Products
For more than 40-years, Gregory Mountain Products has been the leader in expedition, backpacking, daypacks, and travel gear. World-renowned for fit, durability, and performance in all of its products, Gregory has won awards for its pack designs from such diverse media outlets as Outside Magazine, Backpacker, National Geographic, Popular Science and Men’s Journal. Responsible for many industry firsts in backpacking fit and design, the Gregory research and design team continues to lead the way in innovative backpack technology and performance.
